Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is reportedly considering dropping Casemiro from his starting XI for the FA Cup final.

A series of injuries to key players have ravaged United during the last few months of the campaign, particularly in defensive areas.

Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof have all endured spells on the sidelines in recent weeks, with Ten Hag forced to rely on inexperienced or makeshift defenders to plug the hole in the heart of his defence.

With few options available to the Dutchman, Casemiro was forced to deputise as a centre-back for the final six games of the Premier League campaign.

The nadir of his time in the position came during the club's humiliating 4-0 defeat to Crystal Palace earlier this month that led to Jamie Carragher insisting the former Real Madrid star should 'call it a day'.

However, according to a report from The Athletic, United have been preparing scenarios for Saturday's clash with Manchester City with the Brazilian not featuring in the starting XI.

The report claims Sofyan Amrabat has been preferred in Casemiro's midfield role during training sessions leading up to Wembley, with both Varane and Martinez potentially fit to take his place in defence.

Speaking following the club's win over Brighton on the final day of the season Ten Hag detailed the defensive injury crisis ahead of what could prove to be his final game at the club.

'Our centre-half position was a nightmare across the season,' he said.

'I'm glad we have something to choose and we have to think, of course, about quality but also about fitness levels. Probably we will need more than two next week.'